Dixie Dawn Concert This Weekend The Ashe County Arts Council presents The Dixie Dawn Band on Saturday, November 20 at the Ashe Civic Center. From Wilkes County, Dixie Dawn is a popular traditional music group that has gained a loyal local following. Dixie Dawn plays today’s top country songs as well as classic country, gospel, bluegrass and 50Õs rock and roll. Their shows are filled with medleys, comedy, great playing and singing. Dixie Dawn’s new show is “Oh Brother, Here I Am” a tribute to the brothers of country music. The country music genre has always had a great sense of family and musical traditions have been passed from generation to generation. Whole families sing and play together creating some of country music’s most memorable and talented groups. In this new show, Dixie Dawn pays tribute to a variety of talented “brothers” such as the Everly Brothers, Statler Brothers, Monroe Brothers, the Gatlin Brothers and more who have played and sung together over the years. The Dixie Dawn Band was formed in 1981 and the current band includes Darrel Bryant, David Johnson, Billy C. Smith, Ronnie Black, Kevin Rash and Julie Griffin. Since the band’s inception, it has enjoyed playing various venues in North Carolina as well as premier tourist attractions in North Carolina. They have opened top name performers and has been the house band at a family-style entertainment establishment. The Dixie Dawn band has been a favorite at Merlefest in Wilkesboro for several years. For this concert, Dixie Dawn will be joined on stage by special guests, Southern Rice. Take four best friends mix talent and the infallible courage of youth and you have the Southern Rise Band, Austin Prevette; guitar and vocals, Ben McKaig; bass and vocals, Cody Spicer; drums and vocals, Sloan Bryant; guitar and vocals. Beginning their band in January 2003, this group of fourteen and fifteen year old young men are already seasoned performers. In addition to concerts that they perform on their own they have become a welcome addition to many of the Dixie Dawn shows. Performing country, southern rock, and gospel favorites, they are a hit everywhere they go. Anything they lack in experience they more than make up for with their enthusiasm and desire to share with an audience their ability to have a good time. Tickets are available in advance at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson or reserved over the phone with a credit card. Showtime is 7:30 and tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. This concert is funded, in part, by corporate sponsorship by Ashe County Motors and is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council. For tickets or more information, call 336-846-ARTS.